Halfshaft bolts for newbies
- Thread starter GKW05GT
- Start date
Shelby,
After your post I got my Ford bolts down off the shelf and opened the box again. And.....I stand corrected. They are silver. Two things have really gone to hell in my old age. The first is my memory and I can't remember what the other one is.
Chip
My car was sold in CT at Griffin Ford and had the fuel gauge repaired in 11/23/10 at Stamford Ford in CT when I'm pretty sure they took the GT back in trade from original owner.
This is the only thing showing on Ford's computer at my local dealer here in Ga. I know the history from this point on and know it was not done since. I guess looking at all the information and comments I should probably get this done. I would not use my local dealer and they said they don't work on high end cars. I have a great high end shop that does my fluid changes and such and has worked on at least 2 other GT's that should be more than competent to do this job. Thanks for all the information
This is the only thing showing on Ford's computer at my local dealer here in Ga. I know the history from this point on and know it was not done since. I guess looking at all the information and comments I should probably get this done. I would not use my local dealer and they said they don't work on high end cars. I have a great high end shop that does my fluid changes and such and has worked on at least 2 other GT's that should be more than competent to do this job. Thanks for all the information
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shelbyelite
PERMANENTLY BANNED
- May 10, 2007
- 1
Agreed Stormcat, but the internal bolts can not be seen unless it is taken apart. I was referring to the external bolts 
twobjshelbys
GT Owner
So if my Oasis report says "Recall 07B49 output shaft flange bolts and washer replacement", the axle bolt work (ncluding a stripped torx head ) was done on 12-May-08 then I have the updated kit?
) was done on 12-May-08 then I have the updated kit?
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Yea Kendall, but then owners will start another thread or complain they have to replace the six one-time-use bolts to make the inspection and we open up that can of worms about reusing the bolts….
Bigfoot it is hard to tell from your OASIS report. If it was 20 May 2008 that warranty replacement may have been the generation 1 Ford bolt kit. Let me give you some background from my notes taken during the rally II meeting with Jamal in Long Beach (Orange County) California, August 1-5 2007.
Jamal told us there was an initial bolt kit fix (“AA” level) which was developed due to 8 washer/bolt failures which had been identified. This kit had a silver washer and to be fair did not fix the root cause of the bolt head failures. I believe this AA fix focused on bolt head bending loads (and attending head failures) assumed to be exacerbated by a washer design problem. Ford launched a recall notification (Customer Satisfaction Program 07B49) on December 3, 2007. (This SCP number is on your OASIS report).
Further failures of GT half shaft bolts which had complied with 07B49 identified further investigation into the root cause was necessary. This was done by Ford engineers and hydrogen embrittlement of the bolts caused by a Riccaro plating process applied to the bolts when the transaxle was assembled was found to be the failure cause (not overload as many had conjectured). Ford sourced new domestic bolts and changed again the washer design (now black in color) and released a “BA” level kit. This kit with the black (I believe thicker) washer (although not really the part that needed fixing) and new bolts fixed the half shaft bolt breakage problem.
I do not believe that there was another CSP program initiated to replace 07B49 (I could be wrong) but the AA level kits were removed from distribution and the BA kits used for the remainder of the recall program. In a parallel path (but much quicker to market) was Accufab’s identification of the bolt breakage problem through customer discussions and sourced replacement bolts from ARP a well known west coast premium bolt producer. This philosophy worked although the owner had to pay for the Accufab upgrade bolt kit while the Ford replacement kit(s) both AA and AB were done free of charge (and the warranty work was recorded in the OASIS database).
As I stated previously, both the Accufab and the AB Ford kit fix the problem. The recall was pretty well known by early GT owners in the 2006-2009 timeframe and I would think a very small percentage of cars escaped the bolt fix. The failure was more “time” limited rather than mileage or aggressive driving style causation. This is just the nature of a hydrogen embrittlement failure mode. The bolt sizing was certainly more than adequate for its intended service. That is what was so perplexing to Ford (the loads were so low yet failures still occurred) and led to the lengthy identification process and two different kits. This failure root cause determination juxtaposed with just a wholesale replacement of the bolts with a higher strength alloy material without really knowing why the failures occurred.
I hope this discussion helps the new Forum members better understand the background. Unless you purchased your car from a previous owner who stored the car in a bubble, never drove the car, had very, very few miles and the owner had no knowledge of any of the events surrounding this issue, I personally would not worry too much about it and just enjoy driving your car.
Even with modern computer analysis, some problems still defy explanation. During dinner at an aerobatic contest years ago the conversation turned to control surface flutter and its cause. One of the pilots (Dan Rihn), an engineer for Northrup, told us that during it's development, the F-18 had a buzz in the twin rudders that they chased, analyzed, computer simulated, and studied. Nothing explained it, and as a close copy of a fairly proven design it should not have been happening. He said, "We finally gave up and just put a bigger hinge on it!"
Chip
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Good story Chip! And I have been there too....
I do give Ford a great deal of credit for continuing on to fully understand this blemish on their Halo car offering especially after the AA version of the fix did not fully correct the issue. This was a very difficult problem to solve and envolved a number of different internal groups within Ford engineering to finally and definitively identify and correct the problem. The issue was on a sourced component (the transaxle), not Ford's per se, which was produced by a very reputable company with good engineering talent. Sometimes these seemingly inconsequential "things" slip through the review cracks and it takes a resourcful group of automotive enthusists to develop a fix.
We are all benefactors!
I do give Ford a great deal of credit for continuing on to fully understand this blemish on their Halo car offering especially after the AA version of the fix did not fully correct the issue. This was a very difficult problem to solve and envolved a number of different internal groups within Ford engineering to finally and definitively identify and correct the problem. The issue was on a sourced component (the transaxle), not Ford's per se, which was produced by a very reputable company with good engineering talent. Sometimes these seemingly inconsequential "things" slip through the review cracks and it takes a resourcful group of automotive enthusists to develop a fix.
We are all benefactors!
STORMCAT
GT
Photo of The second kit
Here is a photo of the Second version of the kit. I wonder if the part number is the same at the First kit ? The kit contains all that you see. (12) outer bolts = ( 6 per side) . The extra thick washers with the recessed or hole pockets. (one per side ) and the retaining bolts. ( two per side ) . As Kendall mentioned you could pull the joint apart and look but technically you are not supposed to use the outer silver bolts again.
Here is a photo of the Second version of the kit. I wonder if the part number is the same at the First kit ? The kit contains all that you see. (12) outer bolts = ( 6 per side) . The extra thick washers with the recessed or hole pockets. (one per side ) and the retaining bolts. ( two per side ) . As Kendall mentioned you could pull the joint apart and look but technically you are not supposed to use the outer silver bolts again.
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GTMikey
GT Owner
My Dad was a project manager for TRW/Northrup for the Avionics system in the f-18 here in San Diego. Miramar Air Strip (former top gun location) is about 4 miles away. The F-18's fly in groups of 2 to 6 planes over our house after the climb to about 10,000 feet and to the desert for war games fun
My 3 sons ask why they are so loud sometimes my reply is "that's the sound of freedom"
viva gt
GT Owner
am i good to go if mine were replaced in march of 2008 by ford ? what if there is a 3.4l whipple upgrade? should i go with the accufab???? or am i good.
she is getting work done, and if needed, i will have them do the accufab while they are working on her.
viva gt
GT Owner
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
As Stormy mentioned in post #33, you can actually look to see if your car has the 2nd kit from Ford. If you have that one, you're 'golden'. If you find you have the Accufabs, you're also golden. 'Makes no diff which of those two kits is installed.
viva gt
GT Owner
Ep. What I got out of this was that you would have to take it apart to see the internal washer/bolts. If We go that far, We might as well put In the accufabs.
i was trying to get advice to see if i have the 1st or 2nd replacement
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Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
'Completely understand your point regarding, 'Hey, we're here anyway'. But, if you do in fact find the later Ford kit has been installed, since there's really nothing to gain from installing the 'fab's as opposed to just the leaving the two retainer bolts from the 2nd Ford kit in place, Pockets, 'lazy as HE is, would simply replace the 6 outers at that point and call it a day! :lol :thumbsup
No matter which way you go you can't go wrong anyway. :cheers
No matter which way you go you can't go wrong anyway. :cheers
updated project done
After much debate and being fairly sure it had been done I ordered kit from Acufab anyway. It appears it was done as the washer and bolts show, let me know if you agree. Changed driver side, first pic see locktite, no problem but the kit on the other side was not even finger tight. You can see the wear on the washer, last pic ,where it was moving around. The bolts were backing out no locktite was used on those bolts by whoever changed these out. I guess it was worth the gamble as I assume this would have been a problem in the future
After much debate and being fairly sure it had been done I ordered kit from Acufab anyway. It appears it was done as the washer and bolts show, let me know if you agree. Changed driver side, first pic see locktite, no problem but the kit on the other side was not even finger tight. You can see the wear on the washer, last pic ,where it was moving around. The bolts were backing out no locktite was used on those bolts by whoever changed these out. I guess it was worth the gamble as I assume this would have been a problem in the future
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